The Tri-Schools Street Improvement Project will move ahead after the Arlington City Council approved nearly $16M for street improvements that include underground storm drainage, sidewalks, street lights, water and sanitary sewer pipes.
The following streets are being rebuilt:
- Ledbetter Road between Curry Road and Russell Road
- Russell Road between Ledbetter Road and Calender Road
- Calender Road between Monthaven Road and Harris Road
According to Keith Brooks, Arlington's Engineering Operations Manager, Curry Road will be rebuilt between Winthorp Drive and Blake Drive, and will be reconstructed as an asphalt street at a lower elevation in order to remove a sight distance condition at Ledbetter Road. Storm drainage improvements will also be made on Blue Forest Drive and the roadway will be resurfaced as asphalt street between Ledbetter Road and Harris Road. A sanitary sewer line will be improved on Truver Lane.
Ledbetter, Russell and Calender are existing two-lane asphalt streets featuring bar ditches with limited sidewalk access. The roads will be reconstructed as concrete streets. Two traffic roundabouts will also be constructed at the following locations:
- Russell Road and Calender Road
- Calender Road and Harris Road
Three Mansfield Independent School District (MISD) schools are located in the area of this project: Holt Elementary School, Cross Timbers Intermediate School and T.A. Howard Middle School. One of the major benefits of this project will be the installations of sidewalk, which will provide improved pedestrian access to the schools.
This project was initially created as a part of the Safe Routes to School program to connect the surrounding neighborhoods to the three schools with sidewalks. There has been significant coordination with the MISD on this project since its inception. MISD has partnered with the City of Arlington in support of safer road and sidewalks for the residents and students.
The City of Arlington has conducted a total of five public meetings on this project since 2011 for public input and to give updates on the progress of the project. The latest public meeting was conducted on Thursday, May 29 at Holt Elementary School. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the public on the upcoming construction that is scheduled to begin in June 2014. Approximately 120 people attended Thursday night's meeting.
"The citizens seemed to be pleased that construction was finally about the begin," Brooks explained. "There was some concern about the amount of construction traffic and traffic delays, but overall it was a positive meeting."
The construction contract was awarded to Jackson Construction, LTD of Fort Worth on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.
This project is one of many the Public Works department is undergoing to improve road conditions, drainage and sewer pipes around the City. Construction is anticipated to begin summer 2014 and continue through fall 2016.
Street Construction Projects
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